Practice bat and ball

ABSTRACT

A practiced baseball bat and ball combination in which a ball is tethered to a hollow bat by an elastic cord. The elastic cord is maintained under tension by a pair of rollers mounted within the hollow bat in order to maintain a substantial length of the elastic cord within the bat whereby if the ball is struck by the bat, it will automatically return towards the bat after flight.

ied States Patent Brown 1451' Jan. 18, 1972 [54] PRACTICE BAT AND BALL FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1 1 Inventor: Dwight Brown, 414 North Granada 1,472,161 1967 France ..273 29 R Street, Arlington, Va. 22203 [22] Filed: Aug 11 9 9 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinltham Assistant ExaminerTheatrice Brown [21 1 Appl 848999 Att0rneyBrufsky, Staas, Breiner & Halsey 7 I52] U.S. CI. ..273/26 E, 273/58 C 57 ABSTRACT [51] 1nt.Cl. t 1 ..A63b 69/40 [58] Field of Search ..273/26, 26 E, 29, 95 A, 58 C A practiced baseball bat and ball combination in which a ball is tethered to a hollow bat by an elastic cord. The elastic cord [56] References Cited is maintained under tension by a pair of rollers mounted within the hollow bat in order to maintain a substantial length UNITED STATES PATENTS of the elastic cord within the bat whereby if the ball is struck 2,496,795 2/1950 Johnson ..273/95 A by the bat, it will automatically return towards the bat after 3,376,037 4/1968 Lepselter ..273/95 A X fli h 1,611,858 12/1926 Middlekauff ..273/72 1,282,016 10/1918 McHenry ..272/95 A 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEB m 1 a ma mvm'mn DWIGHT C. BROWN M awtlkam' ATTORNEYS raAc'rtcE BAT AND BALL BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to game apparatus, and more particularly to a combination practice baseball bat and ball.

A ball is tethered to a hollow baseball bat by a live rubber or elastic cord which is extensible when the bat strikes the ball. The elastic cord is maintained under tension or distended by a pair of rollers mounted within the hollow hat. The elastic cord has one end fixed within the hollow interior of the bat and trained over and under spaced rollers within the interior of the bat to distend and apply tension to the cord. The cord is then passed through the bat and a ball tied or secured in any convenient manner to the end of the cord. A stop such as a swivel or head is secured to the elastic cord intermediate its ends and is adapted to abut the exterior surface of the bat to maintain the tension on the elastic cord applied by the rollers within the bat.

Accordingly, the user of the ball and bat can literally pitch and bat at the same time by throwing up the ball and striking it with the bat. The ball need only be cast out from the bat and the batter can take a fullswing at the ball as it returns due to the tension maintained on the elastic cord secured to the ball. Because of the tensioned elastic cord secured to the ball, after the ball is struck, it will automatically return to the batter, thus eliminating the need for the batter to chase the ball. Flight of the ball is only limited by the elasticity of the cord.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a practice baseball bat and ball combination which can be used by a single person to pitch a ball to himself and hit the ball.

A further object of this invention is to provide a practice baseball bat and ball of the type described wherein the ball will automatically return to the batter after it is struck with the bat.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims and from the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view in elevation of the practice baseball bat and ball of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross section of the bat illustrated in FIG. l; I

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross section of the bat illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the plane indicated by line 5-5 .Of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, the practice baseball bat and ball combination of the instant invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10.

The bat and ball combination includes a hollow bat l2 and tethered ball 14 secured to the interior of bat 12 by an elastic or live rubber cord 16.

Bat 12 includes a central tubular portion or housing 18 formed from a durable plastic material. Central tubular portion 18 is tapered along its length to simulate a baseball bat. A first cylindrical closure 20 is telescopically coupled to one end of central tubular portion 18 by press-fitting the same within one end of tubular portion 18. One end of closure 20 is bulged outwardly to a substantially elliptical or oval-shaped cross section to simulate a knob 22 on baseball bat l0. Knob 22 also defines a stop for limiting the depth of penetration of closure 20 into the interior of central tubular portion 18.

Extending downwardly from closure 20 are a pair of spaced ears 24 and 26, whose outer arcuate surface is complementary to the interior shape of central tubular portion 18. Rotatably mounted between ears 24 and 26 is a roller 28. Roller 28 has its axle 3t) rotatably mounted within integral bearings 32 formed on each ear 26 and 28. h

A second cylindrical closure 32 is telescopically coupled to the opposite end of central tubular portion 18 of bat l2. Closure 32 includes a thick end portion 34 provided with an annular shoulder 36. Closure 32 is telescopically coupled to central tubular portion 18 by press-fitting closure 32 into central tubular portion 18 until annular shoulder 36 abuts the end of tubular portion 113 to limit further movement.

Closure 32 is also provided with a pair of spaced cars 38 and 40 whose outer arcuate surface conforms in shape to the interior surface of tubular portion 118. Rotatably mounted between ears 38 and 40 is a second roller 42. Roller 42 has its axle 44 rotatably mounted with integral bearings 46 on each of cars 38 and 40.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, rollers 28 and 42 are longitu dinally spaced in aligned relation within the interior bat l2. Elastic cord 16 is secured at one end to ear 38 of closure 32 and distended by being trained over roller 28 and under roller 42. As will be seen in FIG. 2, the elastic cord 16 includes an elongated leg portion approaching the roller 42, a portion which passes underneath the roller and an elongated portion which leaves the roller, both elongated leg portions being substantially parallel. By this arrangement, additional cord is stored within the housing increasing the length of travel of the ball away from the bat after the ball is struck by the bat. After passing underneath roller 42 elastic cord 16 passes through opening 48 in central tubular portion 118 to the exterior of bat 112. A bead 50 is secured to elastic cord intermediate its ends after elastic cord 16 has been trained about rollers 28 and 42 so that it will abut the exterior surface of central tubular portion 18 to maintain elastic cord 16 under tension or in distended condition. Ball 14 can then be tied or secured in any convenient manner to the end of elastic cord 16. In lieu of bead 50, any convenient stop such as a swivel can be utilized. Ball 14 can then be secured or removed from the swivel for storage, if desired.

In order to use the ball and bat it is only necessary to throw ball 14 up and swing at it with the bat 112. If contact is made, elastic cord 16 will be distended during flight of the ball. Elastic cord 16, under tension, will automatically return the ball 14 towards the bat at the end of its flight. A preferred method of use of the bat and ball would be to initially cast the elastic cord 16 and ball 14 as on the end of a fishing rod outwardly away from the batter. The bat is then moved backwards slightly distending the elastic cord 116 to cause the ball to change direction of flight towards the bat. The batter can then take a full swing at the ball.

Since ball 114 is secured to an elastic cord, maximum travel distance of the ball can be obtained which makes the bat and ball combination more realistic and compatible to the real game of baseball. If desired, two persons could use the bat and ball combination. The ball 14 and elastic cord 16 can be pulled away from the hat by one player and released. Because of distention of elastic cord 16, the ball will be automatically pitched towards the bat in a controlled trajectory. The player holding the bat can then attempt to swing at the ball as it approaches the bat.

What is claimed is:

ll. Game apparatus comprising:

an elongated hollow housing having an exterior surface adapted to strike a ball,

an elastic cord having spaced ends, one of said ends being fixed to said housing in the interior thereof and the other of said ends extending through the exterior surface of said housing for securement to a ball,

means within said housing for applying tension to said elastic cord, said tension-applying means including a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers, said elastic cord being distended and trained over one of said rollers and under the other of said rollers and then passed through said housing to the exterior thereof, and

stop means on said elastic cord for abutment with the exterior surface of said housing to maintain the tension applied to said elastic cord.

2. The game apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a central tubular portion whose exterior surface is adapted to strike a ball, a first closure means telescopically coupled toone end of said central tubular portion, and

a second closure means telescopically coupled to the other end of said central tubular portion in longitudinally spaced relation from said first closure means, said central tubular portion, first closure means, and second closure means simulating a baseball bat, said first closure means being positioned at the end of said bat forming the handle thereof, one of said rollers being rotatably mounted within the said housing on said first closure means.

3. Game apparatus comprising:

an elongated hollow housing having an exterior surface adapted to strike a ball with closure means forming the ends of said housing an elastic cord having spaced ends, one of said ends being fixed to said housing in the interior thereof, the other end extending through an opening formed in said housing and secured to said ball,

, roller means within said housing positioned longitudinally apart from said housing opening and adapted to apply tension to said elastic cord,

said elastic cord being distended and trained over said roller means, including a leg portion entering said roller means and a leg portion leaving said roller means, said entering and leaving leg portions being in substantially parallel alignment with each other thereby increasing the stored length of said elastic cord within said housing,

stop means on said elastic cord for abutment with the exterior surface of said housing to maintain the tension applied to said elastic cord.

4. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein:

said tension-applying means includes a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers within said housing, and

said elastic cord being distended and trained over one of said rollers and under the other of said rollers and then passed through said housing to the exterior thereof.

5. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said hollow housing includes:

a central tubular portion whose exterior surface is adapted to strike a ball,

a first closure means telescopically coupled to one end of said central tubular portion, and

a second closure means telescopically coupled to the other end of said central tubular portion in longitudinally spaced relation from said first closure means.

6. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein:

said tension-applying means includes:

a first roller rotatably mounted within said housing on said first closure means, and

a second roller rotatably mounted within said housing on said second closure means,

said elastic cord being fixed to said one end of said second closure means, distended and trained over said first roller and under said second roller and then passed through said central tubular portion of said housing.

7. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said central tubular portion, first closure means, and second closure means simulate a baseball bat,

said central portion being tapered,

said first closure means simulating the handle of said bat,

and i said second closure means simulating the top of said bat. 

1. Game apparatus comprising: an elongated hollow housing having an exterior surface adapted to strike a ball, an elastic cord having spaced ends, one of said ends being fixed to said housing in the interior thereof and the other of said ends extending through the exterior surface of said housing for securement to a ball, means within said housing for applying tension to said elastic cord, said tension-applying means including a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers, said elastic cord being distended and trained over one of said rollers and under the other of said rollers and then passed through said housing to the exterior thereof, and stop means on said elastic cord for abutment with the exterior surface of said housing to maintain the tension applied to said elastic cord.
 2. The game apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing includes a central tubular portion whose exterior surface is adapted to strike a ball, a first closure means telescopically coupled to one end of said central tubular portion, and a second closure means telescopically coupled to the other end of said central tubular portion in longitudinally spaced relation from said first closure means, said central tubular portion, first closure means, and second closure means simulating a baseball bat, said first closure means being positioned at the end of said bat forming the handle thereof, one of said rollers being rotatably mounted within the said housing on said first closure means.
 3. Game apparatus comprising: an elongated hollow housing having an exterior surface adapted to strike a ball with closure means forming the ends of said housing, an elastic cord having spaced ends, one of said ends being fixed to said housing in the interior thereof, the other end extending through an opening formed in said housing and secured to said ball, roller means within said housing positioned longitudinally apart from said housing opening and adapted to apply tension to said elastic cord, said elastic cord being distended and trained over said roller means, including a leg portion entering said roller means and a leg portion leaving said roller means, said entering and leaving leg portions being in substantially parallel alignment with each other thereby increasing the stored length of said elastic cord within said housing, stop means on said elastic cord for abutment with the exterior surface of said housing to maintain the tension applied to said elastic cord.
 4. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein: said tension-applying means includes a pair of longitudinally spaced rollers within said housing, and said elastic cord being distended and trained over one of said rollers and under the other of said rollers and then passed through said housing to the exterior thereof.
 5. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said hollow housing includes: a central tubular portion whose exterior surface is adapted to strike a ball, a first closure means telescopically coupled to one end of said central tubular portion, and a second closure means telescopically coupled to the other end of said central tubular portion in longitudinally spaced relation from said first closure means.
 6. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein: said tension-applying means includes: a first roller rotatably mounted within said housing on said first closure means, and a second roller rotatably mounted within said housing on said second closure means, said elastic cord being fixed to said one end of said second closure means, distended and trained over said first roller and under said second roller and then passed through said central tubuLar portion of said housing.
 7. Game apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said central tubular portion, first closure means, and second closure means simulate a baseball bat, said central portion being tapered, said first closure means simulating the handle of said bat, and said second closure means simulating the top of said bat. 